About us
Do you believe in Science and Reason, but also understand that its the connections we form with other people which make our lives truly meaningful? Are you looking for a god-free spiritual community, where you can learn about yourself and the natural world, grow deeper and more meaningful relationships and cultivate a greater sense of wonder? Do you like having fun?
Check out Connections, a Humanist spiritual community where we create hope, connection, and try to understand what makes out lives meaningful. If you would like to learn more sign up for one of our on-line or in-person events.
Upcoming events
1
Designing a $500B Government Venture Fund for National Prosperity
·OnlineOnlineWhat if government funding didn’t just spend money—but multiplied it?
In this Free Thinker Institute session, we’ll explore a bold new model: a Federal Innovation & Commercialization Fund (FICF)—a venture-style, ROI-driven grant system designed to generate financial returns while accelerating national progress.Instead of traditional grants, this model applies venture capital mechanics to public funding, investing in commercialization across sectors like AI, biotech, energy, and infrastructure. With structured equity stakes, profit participation, and disciplined governance, the approach aims to deliver 7–10% real returns while strengthening economic resilience and innovation leadership.
We’ll break down:- How a $500B/year program could scale into $15T+ in long-term value
- Why this model could outperform traditional government spending
- How to balance public good with financial discipline
- The real risks (political, operational, capital allocation) and how to mitigate them
- What a pilot version could look like—and how to implement it today
This is not theory—it’s a blueprint for transforming public capital into a compounding national asset.
Come challenge, refine, and help shape a system that aligns incentives, drives innovation, and creates lasting value for society.A little about our host:
Garrett is a programmer turned award-winning software inventor turned entrepreneur (PlateRate.com is his company). His hobby is writing and discussing practical philosophy, and he does life coaching on request to help people live happy, moral lives. He is also the executive director of The Free Thinker Institute (FreeThinkerInstitute.org), which aims to create a community that helps members increase happiness and decrease harm for themselves and those they can influence.A little about our host:
Garrett is a programmer turned award-winning software inventor turned entrepreneur (PlateRate.com is his company). His hobby is writing and discussing practical philosophy, and he does life coaching on request to help people live happy, moral lives. He is also the executive director of The Free Thinker Institute (FreeThinkerInstitute.org), which aims to create a community that helps members increase happiness and decrease harm for themselves and those they can influence.Format:
Lecture and discussionNote:
Social time for our community 15 minutes before the presentation.
To get familiar with our past events, feel free to check out our YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmixGB9GdrptyEWovEj80zg
After registering via zoom, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.We publish our event recordings on our Youtube channel to offer our help to anyone who would like to but can’t attend the meeting, so we need to give this clause. If you don’t want to be recorded, just remain on mute and keep your video off.
Here’s our legal notice:
For valuable consideration received, by joining this event I hereby grant Free Thinker Institute and its legal representatives and assigns, the irrevocable and unrestricted right to use and publish any and all Zoom recordings for trade, advertising and any other commercial purpose, and to alter the same without any restriction. I hereby release Free Thinker Institute and its legal representatives and assigns from all claims and liability related to said video recordings.1 attendee
Past events
325
Group links
Members
521
